Join the fun near San Rafael. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. San Rafael is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your San Rafael camping trip.
$45 / night
"General: Conveniently located close to I40, there are 20 pull-through 50-amp sites, 16 pull-through 30-amp sites, five back-in water/electric sites (ok for tents), five tent-only sites (no hookups)"
"Close to Hwy 40. There is a walking path next to the campground that is in a lava field and there are signs along the path with fun facts of the history of the lava field."
"We walked to the top of the adjacent hill for sunset which was very nice."
"BLM dirt road near the entrance you can walk / hike down. Brochures of El Malpais at the entrance to the campground. Got there at 4 pm and only half the sites taken."
$15 - $90 / night
"This was the only lake we saw on our trip to the cattle ranch in New Mexico ;) The park is lovely and we truly enjoyed our time here. There is a nice beach as well as boating and fishing."
"The lake and the area is enchanting!! It was my first visit to New Mexico and for sure I will be back! The lake is large and has fishing."
"It was dead quiet from the time we arrived until we left at 1:30pm the next day even though there were campers close by. The surrounding landscape was beautiful."
"The campground: It's about a fifteen minute drive off highway 40. Once inside the campground the road is gravel and fairly easy to navigate."
$40 - $50 / night
"It’s not scenic by any means but, it is close to Mal Pais National Monument (across the street) and the people that work here are super nice."
"Sites are very close to each other and there are no tables. The dog run is very small. Road noise from I40. There is a small brewery on site, hence upgraded to 4 stars."
$20 - $22 / night
"Spots are right next to each other but it’s a super quiet and safe campground. It has trees throughout so you don’t feel like you’re in the dessert."
"The campground is conveniently located off I40 and is very reasonable priced for full hookups. The campground is clean and the office staff were very nice."
$15 - $40 / night
"There are no hookups but you’re in a remote part of New Mexico under pines with a Giant night sky above."
"Site Quality: The tent section is behind the cabins, but RVs park in the gravel parking lot with no clearly defined spaces."
$10 / night
"Visited the coal mine campground after driving a 500 mile day, so it was a set-up eat and crash situation."
"There is a nice hiking trail available from the campground. La Mosca lookout is a nice drive from the campground with beautiful views."
"An extremely well maintained campsite situated on a bluff with distant views over the desert and only a short hike to the visitor center."
"The sites are pretty close to each other and there only 1 bathroom that gets very used. It’s kept clean but smells awful. Drinking water is available as well as grills and fire rings at every site."
GuideGreat Spot nice and cool among the tall pines and Oaks. Road in is very accessible lots of spots available.
ScoutThis spot is fairly wide open spacious, right off the Continental Divide Trail, and has two fire rings. You can drive to this location Via forest service road 456 until it turns into FSR 239.
RangerNo reservations accepted, but no one there so we had our pick (showed up on a Tues. in late May). Mens/womens restrooms look new, 2 of each, side by side. Sporadic 4g Verizon network (was VERY slow when it was up), sometimes no service. But, we were surprisingly able to watch end of game 4 Knicks/Pacers playoff, once it finally loaded! Short walking trail that is not marked well; took a side trip where it forked at the beginning and not sure where it went so, turned around. Right next to Hwy, but there was minimal traffic so no noise. Sheriff drove through once in evening. Some trees, some spots have some shade, elevation ~7000' or so (estimate). Some spots had nice space for multiple tents/sun shades. Most spots are level; those that weren't, were level enough, really not bad. Seemed safe enough. No water available, no hook-ups, no dump station.
GuideEasy to find, follow Dyrt directions. Large Ponderosa Pines with White Cedar and Oak scrub. Spots aren't marked so be observant .
GuideLots of options for sites on both sides of 162 before it starts going uphill. Several sites off the smaller two track roads can support good size trailers with lots of flat open space. A few sites in the trees right on the road could only support vans or tents. Pics of all the major sites included
The main road 162 was in great condition until it starts going uphill, then it was rutted out. Only a couple spots beyond this point. Road is closed from Dec 15 through March 31.
TMobile access was mixed. Sometimes limited LTE, sometimes 5G.
The paved road is loud in the morning and evening with ranch\quarry traffic, but it is very quiet at night.
It is above 7k, so it does get colder at night than the local forecast for Gallup.
GuideNice host greeted us and explained where the best sites were for our very large 5th Wheel. The sites with power were already taken, but we can boondock and the pull-through sites were great. Lovely view of the lake with a gorgeous sunset. We wish we weren't just passing through and could stay more than overnight ($20). Pricing differential for NM residents ($15). Prices go up and online reservations begin May 1.
GuideNo hookups, you can get water at the ranger station Friday-Sunday 8am-4:30pm. We were showing up after Sunday so we paid 10$ and got water at Sky City RV park, 30 mins from Joe Skeen. Used our starlink for work and it was great. Only 10 spots and they stayed full the whole time we were here. Once someone would leave it felt like someone immediately pulled in. Great trails around. Fire pit and pavilion at sites. For some people who pulled up when the sites were full they just parked where they could. No service with TMobile.
TravelerThe campground is conveniently located off I40 and is very reasonable priced for full hookups. The campground is clean and the office staff were very nice.
GuideThis site is closed from December 15 to March 31
Camping near San Rafael, NM, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or a place to explore, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs.
Camping near San Rafael, NM, has something for everyone, from stunning views to family-friendly activities. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, San Rafael, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 31 campgrounds and RV parks near San Rafael, NM and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near San Rafael, NM is Grants KOA Journey with a 4.3-star rating from 19 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near San Rafael, NM.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near San Rafael, NM that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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